Anonymous

Spirit Song Narration

Reviewed: 06-29-23

I read this book and enjoyed it very much. But narration is awful. Nancy Fish has got to be the worst narrator I've ever heard. It ruiined the book for me because I literally cannot stand to listen to her voice, her horrific overacting, and her lack of authenticity.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Wicked Days by Lily Harper Hart

Reviewed: 12-16-16

I really enjoyed the story -- of this volume, as well as the rest of the series -- but Angel Clark's narration made it painful to listen. Her high-pitched, shrill, and whiny rendition of the main character, Ivy Morgan, made Ivy seem an incredibly immature, empty-headed, petulant 12-year-old. Her idea for making the Police Chief distinguishable from other characters was to utter his dialog in a screaming voice, speaking as if he were a brain-damaged dunce in a child's cartoon. I doubt the author intended that for either of her characters. How Angel Clark gets jobs narrating is beyond me, as I've heard other samples of her reading, and the voice is always the same high pitched, whiny, shrill noise used in this volume. She must be related to someone well-placed in the publishing business, because she surely isn't being hired for her talent. Although I enjoy Lily Harper Hart's writing, I won't be purchasing any other volumes that are narrated by Angle Clark. It's just too painful and annoying to hear ... what a shame that a good author has to suffer for a choice over which I doubt she has any control.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

The Murder of Mary Russell

Reviewed: 04-07-16

Highly creative, exceptionally entertaining, and downright brilliant! Laurie R. King’s “Mary Russell” series is one of my top five favorite literary series of all time, and #14, “The Murder of Mary Russell,” is the best volume thus far! King exhibits an uncanny ability to take the deep and subtle insights she's gained into the psyches of the characters she creates, and then weaves credible, yet extraordinary circumstances and motivations into her story that couldn't possibly be anticipated, but which always fit tight. In addition, King never fails to draw out intense emotional responses from me, which I find most gratifying! Usually, once a novel is finished, I pick up another without pause, but “The Murder of Mary Russell" has left me wanting instead to just sit for awhile and marinate in the profound satisfaction I'm feeling from my reading experience. Thank you so much, Laurie R. King! You are an extraordinarily talented artist and visionary! I look forward with great anticipation to your future offerings.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

FABULOUS!

Reviewed: 01-15-16

If you could sum up Once a Crooked Man in three words, what would they be?

Imaginative, suspenseful, exciting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry Murphy

What does David McCallum bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Have you ever heard his voice?! OMG! The tone and cadence make anything he reads worth hearing. His is also a voice that inspires a feeling of "safety."

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The point at which Harry overheard the conversation of criminals while taking a leak in an alley on the side of a Chinese restaurant.

Any additional comments?

The only downside to being an avid reader is eventually gaining an ability to identify a plot line too quickly, and that definitely takes some of the pleasure out of the reading. I was delighted to find that that was NOT the case with "Once A Crooked Man" by David McCallum. The story line was solid, imaginative, unique, and dynamic, and throughout the book, I had no idea what was coming next – which made it all the more exciting! The multifaceted personalities of each character unfolded naturally, making them believable and easy to identify with, and demonstrated McCallum's deep understanding of both human nature and the fickleness of fate. Though complex, the story flowed smoothly, and at the end, all tied together in a manner that brought reader satisfaction and fulfillment. And of course, hearing David’s lovely voice read it was extra yummy. I really hope he will write a sequel to OACM because, as with all good stories, the characters become like friends with whom we wish to visit again and again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

I really tried to like this book

Reviewed: 09-03-15

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

All of Kim's other work grabbed me within the first chapter -- and I've read them all. Out of loyalty to an author who has thoroughly entertained me, I bought this book and really, really tried to like it. The characters in her other books were people I could relate to, could understand, and liked, respected and/or disliked. I cared about what happened to them. The situations into which they were placed made sense. But after 4 hours of this book, I realized that I just didn't care about any of the characters, let alone what happened to them. They were flat and boring. The plot was convoluted. The narration was ... forgettable. I just couldn't listen any longer. Very sad.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kim Harrison again?

Absolutely! Everyone is entitled to at least one dude. This was Kim's.

What three words best describe January LaVoy’s voice?

Boring.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

You might want to resurrect The Hollows, Kim. Or create something at least as dynamic.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

21 people found this helpful

The Quick: A Novel

Reviewed: 11-21-14

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Well, it would have to have a cohesive storyline, continuity of action, and be a lot less confusing ... and alas, less boring. I found it a waste of my time. Very disappointed. The narrator was great, which is the only reason I followed it to the end.

Any additional comments?

It's just not a very interesting story. Seems more like someone decided to try to copy other popular vampire stories, but utterly failed.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Skin Game -- The Best Dresden Ever!

Reviewed: 06-03-14

Where does Skin Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Jim Butcher's Dresden Files is one of my top 10 series of all time. Rarely does any series delivery a better, more exciting story than the original with each new volume. Book 15, Skin Game, is by far the best of the series so far -- and that's saying something! I'm consistently surprised with Butcher's ability to imagine unique, dynamic, and interesting story lines, to lay them out beautifully, smoothly, believably, and at the end, tie all together in a manner that brings satisfaction and fulfillment to the reader. I hope he keeps writing Dresden forever!

What other book might you compare Skin Game to and why?

There are no comparisons that come to mind. This is a truly unique and dynamic series.

Which character – as performed by James Marsters – was your favorite?

My favorite character is, of course, Harry Dresden. I also love his vampire half-brother and the amazing chemistry between them. I have thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of Molly, Dresden's acolyte, and now the Winter Lady. And Bob the Skull -- well, the stories just wouldn't be the same without Bob.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. I didn't want to stop listening -- it was SOOOOO excellent. On the other hand, I knew I'd have to wait another year for the next installment, so wanted to savor the volume for as long as possible. It ended up taking two days -- and that was with a great deal of self-restraint.

Any additional comments?

Butcher is an excellent author and I have enjoyed other of his works, but he truly shines brightest when channeling Harry Dresden more so than any of the other characters he's created. His imagination and creativity has brought a great deal of joy to his many readers. Thanks, Jim! Keep up the good work!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great Series!

Reviewed: 07-03-13

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rift Walker to be better than the print version?

This is a great series. Not the same old vampire story -- fresh, original, enticing mythology -- with a fabulous narrator, James Marsters! I can't wait for book 3!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Anansi Boys

Reviewed: 06-19-07

Anansi Boys was fabulous! Neil Gaiman is a masterful storyteller with imagination and understanding of the supernatural world usually reserved for the oral traditions of indigenous peoples who pass down their tales through generations. I was inspired! Thank you, Neil!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Life Strategies

Reviewed: 09-08-05

This book is full of awesome good sense, presented in a way that directs the reader's focus to taking one sensible step at a time to reach their goals. Re-minds us of common sense strategies that aren't so common. Excellent read!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful